national education

Hey kids, do you know that the National Stadium at Kallang was officially closed on 30 June this year? Perhaps some of you may have read about it in the news. Why does the National Stadium have to be pulled down? What will take the place of National Stadium? Read on to find out the answer……

Significance of the National Stadium

Since its official opening in 1973, numerous National Day parades and major football matches like the Malaysia Cup and Tiger Cup had been held at the National Stadium.

With strong home support at the National Stadium, the Lions, Singapore's football team, was often unbeatable on home ground and their morale boosted by the Kallang Roar. To the football players playing at the National Stadium, the atmosphere at the stadium was described as “electrifying”.

For homegrown football star, Fandi Ahmad, it was at the National Stadium that his 20-year international football career took flight. National discus thrower, Wong, obtained his first Southeast Asian gold medal in 1993 – Singapore's first athletic gold - at the stadium.

In its 34 years of existence, the National Stadium is an important icon in Singapore's sports history.

Besides sports events, the National Stadium which is able to house up to 55,000 spectators, hosted entertainment performances such as the Michael Jackson concert, which played to ‘full house' audiences.

However, the National Stadium was due for redevelopment because it fell short of the modern-day standards required to host various sports events.

Closing Ceremony

A grand closing ceremony was held on the 30 June 2007, with athletes taking a nostalgic walk round the track of our National Stadium for the last time. Fireworks lit up the sky, signifying the official closure of the stadium and the end of an important chapter in Singapore sports history.

New Sports Hub

Naturally, some Singaporeans feel a sense of pity at the closure of National Stadium. Looking at the bright side of things, there is an ultra-modern sports hub to look forward to. It is going to be the world's first waterfront stadium with retractable roof. Let's look forward to its completion in the year 2011.